Jo Dee Messina was brought to tears during that segment of the awards show that recognizes the colleagues we’ve lost during the past year. George Moffett, Variety Attractions, was on that list and a special agent to Messina, who hosted the 2023 International Entertainment Buyers Association Industry Awards in Nashville Oct 10.

Madison Square Garden was named Arena of the Year and Laurie Jacoby, Barclays Center, was awarded Venue Executive of the Year.

Other awards of the Year went to:

Club— 9:30 Club and First Avenue (a tie)

Casino — MGM Grand

Theater — Beacon Theatre

Amphitheater — The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles

Fair/Expo — Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Festival — Stagecoach

Club Buyer – Michelle Landry, The Bowery Presents

Casino Buyer — Leslie Master, Live Nation

Special Events/Corporate Buyer — G7 Entertainment Marketing

International Buyer — Steve Homer, AEG Presents

Fair/Expo Buyer — Todd Boltin, Variety Attractions

Festival Buyer — Danny Wimmer, DWP

Music & Entertainment Industry Educator — Gloria Green, Middle Tennessee State University

Agent — Austin Neal, The Neal Agency

Promoter — Adam Weiser, AEG Presents

Michael Marion, CVE, Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock, Ark., moderates a panel on Tertiary (AKA Secondary) Markets at IEBA, with, continuing from left, Charlie Goldstone, FPC Live; Nicole Klein, BJCC; Brian Sipe, Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.; and Jackie Morse, ASM Grand Rapids.

IAVM members were in abundance on panels and in the room, as networking commenced at IEBA 2023 (International Entertainment Buyers Assn.) in Nashville Oct. 8-10.

Michael Marion, CVE, Simmons Bank Arena, North Little Rock, Ark., chaired a panel called “How the Touring Industry is Rethinking Tertiary Markets,” and the consensus was upbeat. Brian Sipe, Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky., said country and urban has been “super strong” in his market. His is a Ticketmaster building, and they do dynamic pricing and platinum tickets for every show. It’s working. “Who would have thought aisle seats would go for more money.”

Scalpers are complaining about platinum, which is a good thing to Marion. “It keeps people coming to our sites and that money goes to the artist.”

“It’s not the closest seat for the highest price anymore,” said Charlie Goldstone, FPC Live. From a promoter’s perspective, he applauded everything venue managers can do to make life on the road easier and admitted that the “rules that created (radius) protection don’t apply now. Fans are genre agnostic now.”

Nick Zazal, CVP, Walmart AMP, Fayetteville, AR, talks with Gerry Van Harpen, co-owner, Hodag Country Festival, Rhinelander, WI, at the International Entertainment Buyers Assn. meet in Nashville.

“It’s more important what’s going on in your local market,” Marion added, saying it’s local sports and festivals and other alternative events in the immediate market, which promoters need “protection” from.

Let them know what’s happening, Marion said. With every interjection, he also emphasized North Little Rock is a secondary market, not tertiary, as were all the others.

Birmingham has no radius clauses from Nashville or Atlanta,  but offers on-sale protection “when we can,” said Nicole Klein, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, Ala. “The reality is a national on-sale is a national on-sale,” and not under the control of the venue manager. When the topic comes up, she tells promoters, “We’ll do the best we can.”

Jackie Morse, ASM Grand Rapids, Mich., has also seen an increase in events and concurred that to keep them coming, it’s important to go the extra mile while still delivering the basics – which panelists defined as the internet works, the stagehands are there on time, and the coffee and shower water are hot — that’s what matters.

All from the Tacoma (Wash.) Venues & Events are Adam Cook, CVE, IAVM first vice chair; Jeff Brown and Lynn Carlotto.

Morse adds backstage amenities like a QR code roadies and tour pros can scan to find things to do in Grand Rapids, like get to MadCap Coffee Company for a cup of brew. If there are kids along on the tour, entertain them, she added.

“Catering is huge; we have a fantastic chef,” Morse said, adding that the chef welcomes the tour crew personally. Marion offers Dippin’ Dots backstage.

Most tours have two legs out of the gate, though they more often announce three now, Morse added. Marion found it amusing that cities spent the 90’s building bigger venues – 18,000-plus seats — and the 2000’s cutting them down to theater configurations, trying to make them smaller. Secondary markets need to be the right size.

Goldstone wants data, analytics, and demographics from buildings. When a building reaches out, do so with information the promoter needs.

About to visit the Neal Agency and celebrating a weekend Morgan Wallen date (the venue’s highest grossing ever), Tacoma (WA) Venues & Events marketers bought this painting to present to Wallen via his agent in Nashville. From left are Tacoma’s Tammi Bryant; Sergio Gutierrez, the artist; Rob Herbert, Sergio’s manager; and Tacoma’s Jeff Brown.

That includes communicating renovations. Agents have long memories, Klein said. Birmingham has added a $215-million stadium in the last two years and renovated the arena to the tune of $125 million. Not all promoters and agents know that.

Managers reported a mixed bag when it comes to Hispanic shows. Klein had never hosted a Latin show until 2023, and she got four this year. To market the shows, she found an Influencer group.

Asked for recent booking highlights, Morse cited Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan. “We were able to get them for many reasons – overall marketing performance, longterm relationships.”

Lizzo was a huge booking for Sipe. Her people asked them to get the university to buy 1,000 tickets for pre-sale. They stepped up for 1,200. The University of Kentucky had never done that before.

In Birmingham, it was Feld’s Supercross which moved to the new stadium. “Supercross marketing is massive,” Klein said.

Marion chose Harry Styles in 2021. “It was relationships and money.”

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in September 2023. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit here to share your story and photo.

Emily Adams, FreshStrategies and Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
Michael Avila, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Quinn Beekwilder, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, NC
Kendall Comolli, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
Brandy Cooper, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Kimberly Donovan, The Berry Center, Houston, TX
Derek Droese, Clear-Com, LLC, Alameda, CA
Andrew Dubowski, San Francisco Symphony – Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA
Kelly Farrow, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Stoney Field, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Doreen Foote, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT
Jo Fostock, Xpodigital, Orlando, FL
Rich Fresques, Maverik Center, West Valley City, UT
Hannah Hall, The University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
Tristan Hallman, 22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
Randall Holley, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Courtney Holton, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Brenda Jimenez, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Troy Johnson, Maverik Center, West Valley City, UT
Robert Johnston, San Francisco Symphony – Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA
Chloe Jones, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Charis Krank, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Kenneth Lewis, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Vienna, VA
Leah Madden, Maverik Center, West Valley City, UT
Alicia Marcial, Maverik Center, West Valley City, UT
Dave McKay, Maverik Center, West Valley City, UT
George Michaels, George Michaels Consultant, Sans Souci, NSW, Australia
Angela Miers, Ticketek Australia, Spring Hill, QLD, Australia
Casey Mills, Maverik Center, West Valley City, UT
Di Misic, VenuesWest, Perth, WAu, Australia
Shaun Mitchell, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre-ASM Global Pty Ltd, Southbank, QLD, Australia
Katrina Monaghan, Quayclean Australia Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
Dennis Monteiro, HID Global, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Michelle Morgan, Populous, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Tim Morgan, SwiftPOS, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Jennifer Muldoon, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Kym-Maree Murphy, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
Tas Nicolaidis, Ticketek Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
James Niederer, Adelaide Oval SMA, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
Jo-anna Nisbet, Sydney Opera House, Stanmore, NSW, Australia
Andy North, VenuesLive Management Services (NSW) Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Asher Nowlan, Melbourne Cricket Club, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Jessica O’Brien, Marvel Stadium – Melbourne Stadiums Limited, Docklands, VIC, Australia
Brian O’Connor, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, QLD, Australia
Jodie O’Donohue, Melbourne Cricket Club, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Rob O’Dwyer, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, QLD, Australia
Delia O’Hara, City of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Michael O’Leary, MAP Co, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Rachel O’Sullivan, Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, QLD, Australia
Jonathan Olsen, Maverik Center, West Valley City, UT
William Overman, Melbourne Sports Centres, Albert Park, VIC, Australia
Vicky Papamihail, Ticketmaster, , NSW, Australia
Angela Parkinson, MadisonAV, Silverwater, QLD, Australia
Lauren Payne, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia
Jono Perry, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, South Bank, QLD, Australia
Lee Pessall, O’Brien Group Australia, North Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Tasha Petrie, City Parklands Services, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Kellie Pitt, Melbourne Racing Club, Caulfield East, VIC, Australia
Mark Piwkowski, Quayclean Australia Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
Jasmine Pohl, Adelaide Venue Management Corporation, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Michael Poulson, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT
Fiona Preston, Melbourne Sports Centres, Albert Park, VIC, Australia
Donna Priestley, HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast Mail Centre, QLD, Australia
Larissa Propato, Momentus Technologies, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Anna Purdy, Marvel Stadium – Melbourne Stadiums Limited, Docklands, VIC, Australia
Jason Quinones, Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York, NY
Aaron Rainey, Five Flags Center, Dubuque, IA
Laura Rathgeber, City of Gold Coast – Major Sporting Venues, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Scott Ratuki, Tompkins Wake, Hamilton, New Zealand
Ashley Renzi, Maverik Center, West Valley City, UT
Carlos Reyna, SureVision, Gladesville, NSW, Australia
Philip Rhodes, Dwyer Arena – Niagara University, Niagara University, NY
Megan Rhymer, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Brett Richardson, O’Brien Group Australia, North Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Nikki Ring, Spark Arena, Auckland,
Curtis Rondeau, BAI Communications, Chatswood, NSW, Australia
Bec Rose, Momentus Technologies, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Mel Russell, Adelaide Venue Management Corporation, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Tom Sanson, Ticketek Australia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Eva Sarah, Reliance Risk, Bondi Junction, NSW, Australia
Kris Satish, SwiftPOS, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Matthew Scheenhouwer, Netball Queensland Limited, Upper Mount Gravat, QLD, Australia
Brandi Schmidt, Ford Idaho Center, Nampa, ID
Lee Scott, Melbourne Racing Club, Caulfield East, VIC, Australia
Nicholas Searcy, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Yesenia SeguraVilla, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Anthony Serra, Carlton Football Club, Carlton North, VIC, Australia
Chris Sewell, Mott MacDonald Australia Pty Ltd, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Casey Shields, Netball Queensland Limited, Upper Mount Gravat, QLD, Australia
Kym Shilton, Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc. (WJHW), Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Darren Simpson, Tennis NSW, Silverwater, NSW, Australia
Craig Skelly, MyState Bank Arena, Glenorchy, TAS, Australia
Daniel Smith, O’Brien Group Australia, North Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Jason Smith, Momentus Technologies, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Mitchell Stace, MAP Co, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Fiona Stafford, Arts Centre Melbourne, St Kilda Road, VIC, Australia
Michelle Stevens, Bay Venues, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Michelle Stewart, City of Gold Coast, City of Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Mo Stoycoff, Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis, Davis, CA
David Strangio, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, VIC, Australia
James Sutton, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Markets, NSW, Australia
Ben Swanson, Adelaide Oval SMA, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
Sina Szabados, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
Dylan Tadic, VenuesLive Management Services (NSW) Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Gary Taylor, H3 Group, Hamilton, New Zealand
Alexandra Thompson, Merrigong Theatre Company, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Danielle Thompson, Te Pae The Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand
Rebecca Thompson, Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, QLD, Australia
Jake Tolsher, Ross Video, Alexandria, NSW, Australia
Aubs Tredget, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW, Australia
James Treloar, VenuesLive Management Services (NSW) Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Chantal Trimboli, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, VIC, Australia
Terrence Trujillo, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Markets, NSW, Australia
Leigh Ustapetrov, NEC Australia, Docklands, VIC, Australia
Jude Veith, Palais Theatre, St Kilda South, VIC, Australia
James Verlaque, Bepoz, Mascot, NSW, Australia
David Vulin, VenuesWest, Mount Claremont, WAu, Australia
Jason Wade, Invercargill City Council, Invercargill, New Zealand
James Wagg, ASM Global (APAC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Colleen Walker, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Damon Walker, HBF Stadium, Floreat, WAu, Australia
Emma Walker, Northern Territory Major Events Company, Darwin, NTe, Australia
David Walsh, Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Nicole Walters, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, QLD, Australia
Greg Ward, Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch, New Zealand
Paul Warman, Quayclean Australia Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
Natalie Wasley, HBF Park, Floreat, WAu, Australia
Adriana Watson, Whistling Kite, Secret Harbour, WAu, Australia
Cameron Wedemeyer, Ross Video, Alexandria, NSW, Australia
Kirsty West, RAC Arena – ASM Global Pty Lt, West Perth, WAu, Australia
Georgia Whiteley, Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, Geelong, VIC, Australia
Michelle Whittle, Momentus Technologies, O’Fallon, MO
Javon Williams, Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue, WA
Justyne Wilson, Bundaberg Regional Council, Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
Cleadus Woodbury, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Luke Woolley, Populous, Singapore
Ben Wright, Gema Group, West End, QLD, Australia
Gary Wyatt, Platform 4 Group (P4G), Auckland, New Zealand
Anthony Yates, Certis Security Australia, Perth, WAu, Australia
Theresa Yeoh, HBF Stadium, Floreat, WAu, Australia
Adrian Young, Great Barrier Reef Arena, South Mackay, QLD, Australia
Layne Young, Lynnwood Event Center, Lynnwood, WA
Jason Zagame, Cedar Mill Group, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Nathan Zervos, Cedar Mill Group, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Daniel Zimardi, San Francisco Symphony – Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA
Amanda Zvirblis, San Francisco Symphony – Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA

Henderson Engineers, a national building systems design firm and member of IAVM, is honored to announce the completion of a $250 million north end renovation of Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL’s New England Patriots and the MLS’ New England Revolution. Standout features include a state-of-the-art curved-radius video board and a new 22-story “Lighthouse.” Concluded this September in alignment with the start of the 2023-2024 NFL season, the project is the largest ever modernization of Gillette Stadium since it opened 21 years ago.

“Gillette Stadium hosts football, soccer, concerts, and other smaller events year-round, so a high level of collaboration was needed across the entire design and construction team to keep the venue operational throughout the two-year north end renovation,” said Tyler Johnson, venue sector practice manager at Henderson Engineers. “While Henderson has worked on various other Gillette Stadium enhancements since 2014, nothing beats the excitement of successfully delivering the most complex and significant transformation yet.”

Photo credit: Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots

Spanning 22,200-square-feet, the new high-definition videoboard follows the arc of the stadium and is the largest of its kind in American sports. Audio-video experts from Henderson helped nail down specifications for the jumbotron while its electrical team oversaw controls and power systems. The board was installed in phases during the last two consecutive summers so as to not interfere with the stadium’s large events schedule.   

Standing at 220 feet high, the “Lighthouse” includes a 360-degree observation deck offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Boston and Rhode Island region. In collaboration with LAM Partners, Henderson equipped the lights within the tower with color changing and color tuning functionality, providing the capability to illuminate numerous hues and patterns for game day celebrations and other festivities. Henderson furthermore designed for a snow melt system to keep the observation deck accessible to patrons during all seasons.

Other notable Henderson-engineered enhancements include a revamped Enel Plaza, offering a new grand entrance to the venue. Above the plaza sits the new 50,000-square-foot A-P Atrium, a multipurpose space that overlooks the field and functions as a premium club on game days and an event space on other occasions. 

“Gillette Stadium is a beloved landmark for millions of fans in the Northeast and across the country. This renovation project further entrenches it as not only as premier destination for sports events, but also for other recreational activities throughout the year,” said Johnson.  

In addition to audio-video, electrical, and lighting, Henderson’s full scope of design services for the north end renovation included acoustical consulting, energy modeling, fire protection, mechanical, plumbing, security, and telecom. Populous served as the architect and Suffolk Construction was the general contractor.

iCommit is IAVM’s annual membership recruitment campaign. Existing members are rewarded for referring new members. Encourage your employees, colleagues, suppliers, interns, and more to become an IAVM member today. Consider adding a new Group Membership for your venue or organization; it is a great way to increase the number of entries in the raffle. Plus, your Professional or Allied referral can save the one-time initiation fee of $150.00.

“Members continue to spread the word about the importance of belonging and help our network, our family, to grow,” said Gina Brydson, director of membership. “The iCommit member referral program added 336 new members last year. It is the best recruitment tool we have – our members telling their stories.”

IAVM’s membership reached an all-time high in July of 7,291 members. The new campaign aims to grow our global community by 10%.

For each new member you refer, you could receive one of the following prizes:

• The grand prize will be a complimentary registration to VenueConnect 2024 (value up to $1,000).
• Win one of five, $500 American Express Gift cards – receive one raffle entry for each new member you refer.
• The IAVM Region that adds the most new members will choose one recipient to apply for the CVP designation; we will waive the $125 application fee (the Region Director will choose the recipient within the winning region).

To ensure you are eligible to win one of the prizes, ask your applicant to do the following:

• List your name in the Application Section titled, “Who Recommended IAVM To You/How Did You Hear About IAVM?” – this ensures you receive credit for the new member.
• For new Professional or Allied membership, the $150 one-time initiation fee will be waived; the applicant must enter the promo code “iCommit” to save the fee.
• Some membership types do not have an initiation fee; the dues will not be discounted.

All winners will be notified in January 2024. Contact membership@iavm.org if you have any questions.